Tractor-trailer



May 10 12927."

H. LAND y 'TRACTOR VTRAILER Filed Sept. *10gl 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet llllllllllllll! ATTQRNEY May 10,1927. 1,627,910

c. `H. LAND TRACTOR TRAILER 'Fuga' sept. 1o, r1925 4 Smets-sheet 3 ATTORN EY 1,621,910 May 10 1927' c. H. LAND TRACTOR TRAILER Filed sept. lo, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ,Y Patented May 10, 1927. l

TES

AUNITED` STA CHARLES n. LAND, or

TRACTOR-TRAILER.

pplication tiled September This invention relates. to tractor-trailers and more particularly the mechanism carried by. the tractor and trailer for raising a leg .hinged to the trailer to'support its forward ,mechanism carried bythe trailer for mainend upon coupling. the trailer/and tractor together-"-the forward end of. the trailer being then supported upon the rear end of the .tractor for transit therewith; said mechanism also serving upon reversing the direction of the tractor to lower vthe legof the ltrailer that it may again support the trailer when itis desired to uncouple the'tractor from the trailer. l p

Another feature of the present invention includes a tilting fifth wheel carried by the tractor, comprising ansupper plate adapted nels to receive a -pair of depending stub2 to turn upon a lower platee-the upper'plate 'l being formed with converging guide chan` shafts or rollers carried by the forward end of a toggle lever, adapted to actuate the swinging supporting leg lcarried by the trailer from a lowered to a raised positionA or back to its formerposition that the legmay beraised' when the trailer is coupled to the tractor-or lowered upon uncoupling the tractor from vthe trailer.

A' further feature o f thelv invention -conlsists in providing the projecting edge of, the upper plate overlapping .the lowervplatev of t-he fifth wheel with engaging lugs, and an annular Aking-bolt adapted A`to -co-ordinate with means carried bythe trailer fr ame whereby the vehicles mayv be coupled together and loeked'in co'upledrelation. j

A further 'object of the .invention is to'` provide a double locking means between the i tractor and trailer, whereby the driverupon backing the tractor toward the trailerto.- secure a coupling relation will first effect a.'

' preliminary coupling of the tractor and trailer-this acting as a. reminder to the driver to leave the cab o f the tractor thathe may manually' release .a locking mechanism;

carried by the" trailer forv securing the supporting leg when lowered, fprior'to effecting a completed couplingrelation between the tractor and trailfeif-the purpose beingto insure against wrecking or`otl1`erwisedam.

aging'the supporting'leg and the'inechanism' tion, without rstreleasing the manually nnrnoim, anonieme.A

ro,"1925.L serial No.' 55,465'.

operatedlocking mechanism for securing the fsupporting leg when either in its lowered p or raised positions;

Upon manually releasing the' locking taining the` leg in supporting position the driver may back' the tractor' into icomplete coupling relation with the trailer. lIn order however to effect at coupling relation it must be' understood thatA a suitable brake mechanism is Aemployed by the trailer to secure vthe I trail'er against backing with vehicles .top g'etlier. No brake mechanism however is shown in the drawings as the A same forms no part of the present invention in providing a 'roller bar carriedl by the in. the .Shgped members carried by the y' trailer'A engaging the projecting edge of the upper member of the fifth wheel to' secure the latter against tilting with respect to 4the'tractor when attempting to couple. the

trailer A'adapted to co-operate with the tiltthe trailer chassis when the vehicles arein` vvcoupled relation.

Another feature of the invention consists porting leg`when in raised or lowered posie tive positions as required.

With the foregoing and other objects in' view which will appearl as the description proceeds theginventionjfurther resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in `the details of construction hereinafter described andclaimed it being understood that changes .may be rn'adein the 'precise embodiment 'of the. invention herein -disclosed without the same.v. 5-

dinal vertical sectional l'departing from-thespirit of .In the drawings accompanying thisspecifi` y fin the meansfor manually releasing ythesup- View through the trailer and the rearend i of the tractorincoupled relation. Figurels l'a plan view of the trailer and .controlling the raising and lowering ofsaine fthe rear end of the tractor, showing a' portion of the fifth wheel 'carriedby the. tractor broken away to disclose theshock absorbing mechanisms forming part of the fth wheel structure, i

t Figure' 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view on a relatively larger scale, taken on or about line 3*-3 of Figure 2.,

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on or about line 4 4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view 'of a detail ltaken on or about line 5-5 of .'Figure'2, showing on an enlarged scale the shock absorbing device carried by the fifth wheel.

Figure 6 is a longitudinalv vertical sectional view through the forward end of the trailer and rear end of the tractorfshowing l the fifth wheel as normally tilted before a coupling relation is effected between the tractor and trailer-'the view also -shows the roller bar as when ascending the up er member of the inclined fifth wheel befldre assing the tilting axis of the fifth wheel, )ournaled in supporting brackets carried by the.

tractor frame. i

Figure 7 is a similar view showing the fifth wheel forced to a horizontal plane and also the' preliminarylocking effected between the tractor and trailerwhich prep `cedes the raising of the supporting leg,

Figure'. 8 is a fragmentary pers ective View showingithe locking mechanism or the supporting leg as it would appear after the leg is raised. followingthe initial coupling between the trailer and tractoralso a frag- View also shows a fragment of the toggle lever and its depending stubrollersgat the forward end of the lever extending mto converging grooves formed 1n the upper membei' of the fifth wheel, whereby upon driving the tractor the toggle mechanism is actuated toraise or lower the leg by a forward or backward movement of the tractor, Referring now to the letters of reference placed upon the drawings:

. A'denotes a tractor provided with a trailer `mounting track lsecured to its end frame.

Bolted 'to the floor of the tractor adjacent to its side sills are pedestals 2, 2, for supporting` a tiltable fifth wheel 3, comprising an upper rotatable plate 4,'connected to a lower plate 5 by. an annular kingfboltf 6 extending through a central hub 7 in the upper platewhich with annular-*flange S'Yintegral Withthe upper plate serves to maintain the upper and'lower plates of the fifth' Wheel in spaced relation.

A nut 9 engages the annular king-bolt 6 tosecure the upper and lower plates of the fifth wheel together.as a unit-the lower plate being stifenedv and made rigid by downwardly projecting ribs 1() integral therewith.

Supported in a pair of spaced lugs 11, 11, integral with the lower plate of the fifth wheel and on each "side ofthe latter are Ashafts 12 on which is`respectively mounted, a fitting 13 having outwardly projecting trunnions 14, 14, journalled in the respective pedestals '2, 2, secured tothe body, of the. i tractor. -1 Sleeved upon the, shafts 12,'12, are springs 15 adapted to bear against the fitting 13 and the lugsv 11 toabsorb longitudinal shocks 4 received by the fifthwheeL i A B denotes a trailer including the -usual side sills 16 lconnected togetherby a plurality of spaced crossmembers 17 bolted to the side sllls. A pair .of swinging legs 18 are pivoted at 19l to the side sills of. the trailer-the lowerends of the legs being connected together by an` raxle20, on the outer ends ofwhich are mounted supporting wheels 21, 21.-- Respectively pivoted to the swinging legs 18 are lifting bars 22, which attheir upper end s are pivoted to, a slidable block 23 gol grooved to receive a .longitudinal guide rail or bar 24 boltedat the cross-members 17l connecting the sidev sills fof the trailer frame.

Pivoted to the slidable block 23 is a toggle lever 25, which at its forward end is pivoted .95 at 26 to the guide rail 24.

Thel projecting forward ends ofthe toggle lever are respectively tted' withk depending rollers 27 .adapted to'enter a pair of `converging grooves 28, 28, formed in the upper plate 4 of the fifth wheel, whereby upon backing the" tractor toward the trailer the lrollers 27 upon entering vthe grooves will expand the toggle lever and shift the slidable block 23 connected by the lifting 105 lbars 22 with theswingingleg tov'raise or lower the swinging legs as the tractor maybe moved towardy oraway from the trailer.lv To secure the swinging legs when in position to supportsthe forward .end of the ,un

trailer, or as when raised upon coupling the'tractor to theftrailer a swinging latch 29 is provided .mounted upon a manually loperated rock 'shaft 30 journalled.v in .brackets 31 secured to one of the cross-mem- U5 bers17 of the trailer frame. vThe rock shaft 30 has a crank arm'32 to facilitate its manual operation.

The forward end of the swinging latch 29 hasa right angle bend 33 which is adapt 120 ed to bear against and intercept the movement of the slidable block 23. As shown in Figure 8 the Alatch bar is thrown to hold the supporting legs in their raised position vas when the trailer is coupled to thev tractor. 12a

The swinging latch -bar' 29 is provided v with a wedge-shaped lug 34 integral with the bar, that it may readily ride over the inclined face 36'of the upstanding lug carried bythe slidable block 23v and as shown 13 0 to lock the swingingleg pling cured to the trailer-'frame .serve in Figure 9 the lug 34 of the latch bar is engaged with the lug :36 of the slidable block 18 in a vertical osition-as when supporting the forward end.v ofthe trailer when disconnected from .the tractor; i

Secured to each.. of the 'side sills at the 'forwar'd'end of the' trailer frame are plates 37 having an. arc-shaped projecting end 38 which when the tractor is backed into the trailer are adapted to slidcupwardly on the trailer mounting tracks' 1, 1, bolted to the rear 'end of the tractor frame..

'Extending transverselyv across the forward end 'of the vtrailer and supported by the 38r is a roller 'bar 39 which'upon cou-'- the tractor to the trailer rides-over the inclined upper plate of the fifth wheel until the tractor has backed sutliciently for the' roller bar to pass thepivotal' tilting axis fof the fth, wheel, whereupon the fifth plates wheel is caused tov swing to al horizontal The arc-shaped ends ofthe plates 37 seto hold the ofthe fifth wheel carried rotatable plate 4 the /requisite position for bv Ythe tractor in avlocking pin 40, provided with an enlarged a fitting '43 headv and loosely sleeved. iIf

r 42 carriedV bolted to a transverse memb by the trailer, to b e forced under the urge of a spring 41, member, to enter .l the central bore of the I king bolt 6.of theiifth wheel. A similar locking lpin 44 controlled`by the spring 41 is also loosely supported'in the tting`43 the purpose lof which will be hereafter eX- 'plained Upon the locking pin40 entering the bore ofthe annular king' bolt the further backing ofthe tractor 1s arrested` as it then becomes necessary for'the driverto leavehis y cab that he may release the sup orting. le

s of the trailer, by manually trlppingV4 tieswinging latch 29 that it may release the slidable block 23, connected to the support- -ving legs of the trailer by .the lifting bars 22, whereby the rollers the ends ofthe 27 projecting from toggle lever into the con- 28 of the fifth. wheel may.

verging grooves -actuate the toggle lever to lift the support-- further backing of v the if ing legs upon, a

` tractor toward the trailer.

l Pinto tlie' slot in the arm of the bell cranky.

The locking pin. (seei'Figure 3) is forced out end of' said bolt and actuated by a slotted `bell crank lever4 46 pivoted at 47 tolga lug wheel.

lever (and a cable 49 is` connected witlr the other' arm of the bellcrank lever leads to the cab of the tractorthat the driver may ally actuated to bolted to said transverse of thesocket of the. king-bolt 6 by a plunger 45 extending into the .lower 'fswlnging legs, may not collapse under the load of the trailer.

l' Having thus described my invention what l pin 48 projectsfromthevplunger 45I raising the supporting 4legs 18, connected with the slidableblock Aby 22 intotransit position.

The swinging latch b ar 29 is then manutlie lifting bars whereby 'the supporting legs are held in their raised positionc against accidental release.

. AAs the tractor is backed toward the trailer- 'lock the slidable block,

the. roller bar 39i carried by the trailer is f engaged'by a pair of hook-sha ed stop lugs '50 integral with'the upper p .ifth wheel,- whereupon the lock pin 44 is `frced under the'urge 0f the springv 41 into bolt 6 while the prothe socket of the/king jecti-ng edge of the upper plate 4 is simultaneously engaged by the lips 51 of-a pair of spaced angular shaped plates 52bolted to one of the transverse members 17 of theA trailer. The coupling'of the tractor and trailer is thus completed-#the tilting yfifth wheel being held in substantially a horizontal position and is substantially locked to the trailer at three different positions.

When it is desired to disconnect the tractor .from the trailer. the driver irst pulls cable 49 which actuating the bell crank lever 46 forces'plunger 45 controlled thereby in an upward direction ejecting the locking pin 44 from the socketv of the king bolt and the manual latch is4 operated to release the slid ing block 23. The tractoris then driven forward vuntil the lockingpin 4() enters .the socketo'f the king bolt; whereupon the driver vleaves his v cab and vmanually actuates lthe swinging. latch`29 to release the slidable block 23 from thev end 33 4of thelatchv that -the swinging legs may assume a vertical po- "sitionito support the .forward end of the trailer upon the toggle lever mech'anism'beate 4 of the ing'actuated by a further forward movement i of the tractor.

`When the legs are in a'v'ertical or supporting'po'sition theswinging latch bar `is actu-` ated toA secure the slidable block .that the Iclaimis:

1. Ina deviceof the 'character described,

operating a supporting leg carried by the trailer; a leg carried by the trailer adapted to support the forward end of the trailer when the latter is disconnected from the tractor and to be released from supporting `vof-a fifth wheel secured to the tractor including a turnable memberhaving converging'guide channels adapted to vactuate means for operating a supporting leg carried by the trailer; a leg carried by the trailer adapted `to support the forward end of the latter when disconnected vfrom the tractor, the same to be released from supporting relation upon-coupling the trailer to-the tractor for transit therewith; means co-ordinat-ing with said converging guide channels and connected with said supportingleg, whereby upon a forward or backward movement of ,the tractor the leg maybe shifted from its sup-- porting position to its transit* position, or vice-versa; manually operated, means for.

locking and releasing'the supporting'legfin v'either its transit or trailer supportingpositions; means for eecting a preliminarycouf plmg of the tractor to the Itrailer prior the manual op'erationofvsald leg releasing means, and means 'for effecting'ay final cou- A lplmg relat1on between vthe tractor. and trailer following the shifting,Y of the leg from itsv supporting to its transity osition.

In a' device of the ',C Varacter described,

thecombination with a tractor and trailer of. a tiltable fifth' 7wheel secured to the tractor having a rotatable member provided with converging guide waysto receive the forward end of a toggle lever; a toggle lever pivoted l to the frame of\ the trailer adapted at its. `forward end to enter the converging guide-- ways of the rotatable member of the fifth wheel; a swinging leg pivoted to the frame of the trailer for supporting the forwardl end of the latter when disconnected from thel tractor, and meansconnecting the. swinging leg' of the trailer with thetoggle lever,-

wherebyf'the leg may be 'raised or lowered by a forward or backward movement of the tractor with reference lto the'trailer. Y

4. ln a device o'f the character described, the combination with a tractor and a trailer of a fifth wheel member secured to the traetor, including an upper plate rotatable upon a lower tiltable plate suitably Ajournalled upon the tractor frame, said upper rotatable plate provided with converging guide-ways adapted to receive theends/of a toggle lever; a toggle lever vmechanism pivoted to the frame of the trailery adaptedA to co-ordinate at one endwith the lconverging guide-ways of the fifth wheel, a swinging supporting leg pivotedto the frameiofthe trailer, andi means connecting said swinging leg withthe'- yother end of thev toggle lever, whereby the leg may be raised or` lowered through the (io-ordination of the forward end of the toggle lever with theconver'ging guide-ways .of the fifth Wheel, upon. a forward or backward movement of the tractor with-reference to the trailer. l

5. Ina device ofthe character-described, the combination withl a tractor andtrailer of a tiltablev fifthwheel secured. to the tractor having: a rotatable member provided with converging guide ways to receive the forward end of a toggle lever; a toggle lever .pivoted to the frame of the trailer adapted at itsforward end to enter the converging guidefways of the rotatable member of the fifth wheel; a' swinging leg pivoted to the vframe of the trailerfor supporting the forward end of the latter when disconnected transit or load supporting position.

.6. Ina device of the 4character described,

,the combination with 'atractor and trailer of a tiltable fifth wheel secured to the tracttor having a rotatable member provided with converging guide ways to receive the vforward end of a toggle lever; a togglelever `pivoted to thefframe of a trailer adapted atfitsforwa-rd end to enter the ,converging A guideways ofthe rotatable member of thel fifth wheel a swingingleg pivoted to the frame of the trailer for-supporting the forfrom! the tractor ;'1 means connecting the .swingingleV ofthe trailerwith the toggle @lelrerywhere y the le may beraised or lowfered by a-forward or ackward movement of .ltheftractor with reference to the trailer, and manually o f erated means forlocking and re- .lea'sing'sai swinging leg when swung into wardrend ,ofthe latter when disconnected from'the tractor;` a longitudinally supported guide rail; a movableblock slidably mounted upon the guide rail; lifting bars pivotally connected with .the leg and slidable block; a

manually -actuated.-swil'iging latch adapted to 'engage theslidablm block to lock or zrelease the pivoted leg when swungwintotransit orload supporting position.v

- 7. In a device of the character described; t

the combination with a tractor and; trailer of a tiltable fifth wheel-secured to the tractor, including a rotatable member provided vwith converging guide channels; a .trailer 'm ounting track secured to the tractor frame; aswinging leg pivoted to the trailer; means co-ordinating with the converging guide channels of the fifth wheel and connected with the supporting leg, whereby the leg may be raisedor lowered upon driving the tractor Vin a backward'or forward directioncwith.-

reference to the trailer; meansseeuredto Vthe. trailer frame adapted to -traverse the A trailer mounting track to. guidethetrailerI into coupling. relation. with the tra'etor;

1 means carried by the trailer* adapted -to force said tiltable liftfhwheel into a sub`v stantially'horizontal plane upon backing the I tractor with respect to` the trailer, andineans .for automatically couplingthe tractor and trailer together.

8L In adevice of ,the characterfdescribed, the combination with a tractor andV trailer' ofal tiltable fifth'wheel secured tothe trac- 1' tor, including a rotatable member provided l with converging channels; an annular king bolt pivotally connecting th`e rotatable mein# ber with the-.fifth wheel; a movable supporting leg 'carried by Athe trailer; means coordinating with the converging ways of the tifth wheel for actuating said movable leg;

" a pair of longitudinally spaced coupling pins suitably supported by the frame of the trailer adapted socket ofthe annular jking bolt' to 'elfect a.

releasing thel supporting -leg'in either its" ortin as .p g

to successively enter' 4the coupling relation between' tractor and trailer; manually operated means for locking and transit 0r trailer supporting positions, and means wliereby'said coupling pins. may be forced fromtheannular king bolt following 'the'v operation of said' manually actuated' means -A'for locking said legin either suportransit positions A j 9. In a device ofthecharaeter described,

' the combination with tractor and trailer of a fifth wheel secured' to lthe tractor, 4in-4 -cluding a rotatable member; an annular king porting leg `in either ber with 'ing leg carried by ordinating with Ywheely for .actuating said bolt pivotallyconnecting the rotatable'memf the fifth wheel; a movable supportthe trailer; :means comeans carriedby the fifth movable leg; a pair ofcoupling pins longitudinally spaced and suitablysupported lin the frame of the trailer, socket of theannular king bolt to e'ect a successive coupling relation between the tracto@y and trailer; manually operated means fo locking and releasing the supits' transit .or,trailer supporting positions', and meansv whereby said coupling -pins may the 'operation f means for locking the 'legin either support ing or transit positions.,` w

10. ln a dev-ice of the lcharacter described,` Y thecombination with atractor and tra1ler` of a tiltable fifth wheel secured to the trac.- tor, including a. rotatable member pivotally connected therewith by an annular king bolt; a trailer mounting track secured to the tractor frame; a-movable supporting leg carried by the trailer; means for actuating supporting. positions',

adapted to subsequently enter .the

bei respectively forced from the annular kingl'bolt following .said manually, actuated.

' and a vlatch said movable leg; means carried by the trailer adapted to'traverse the ,trailerv mount# ing. track; means supported by p said last. named means adapted'fto-force said tiltable fifth wheel to a `horizontal planehupon backing the tractor tow-ard the trailerto 'effect a, coupling relation therewith; a: pair, of cou-- pling p ins suitably supported in the frame ofthe trailer and longitudinally f spaced,v y whereby -they may successively enter the socket of the annular king bolt; resilient i means adapted to respectivelyur'ge said pins v into tliesocket 'of the-king bolt;` manuallyoperated means for locking and releasing 8O` the supporting leg in either transit or trailer and means' :whereby said coupling pins may be forced from "theA annularking bolt following the operation f o f saidj manually actuated means for locking the supporting leg in either transit or f supporting positions. f. 11.1 tlie'combinationwith a. tractor and-trailer of Aa tiltable fifth wheel supported on longitudinally movable trunnions journalled on suitable pedestals bolted to the body of the tractor; an :upper rotatable plate having converging channels andpivoted to the tilting portionof the fth wheel lay-an annular king bolt, resilient shock absorbing means on adeviceof the character described, I

either side `of'said tr'iinnions adapted toabcsorb longitudinal stresses due -to coupling the'tractor and trailer; fan adjustable ltrailer supporting leg"; means controlled; by the "rotatable plate of thelifth wheel andA con- 'iiected with said leg'for automatically shifting the leg from" its trailer supporting position to itstransit position or viceversa upon zt/.forward or backwgird movement of the .tractor with reference tothe trailer; a pair offlongitudinally spaced and medially dis'- posed coupling pins loosely supported in a frame of the trailer, adapted to successively effect' a= preliminary and final coupling of the tractor and trailer; means adapted to successivelyT urge said pins into the socket of the king bolt upon -aifurther'- movement enter Vthe annular king bolt to respectively ofthe tractor with reference'to the trailer; f

means,' adapted to be manually actuated from the cab of the tractor, for forcing said' ing or. transit position; vthefmal coupling iaracter described,

for yholding-the leg in support-f of the tractor and trailer being permitted upon release of the leg holding latch and the preliminary coupling means.

13.l In a device of the character described, the Combination of a tractor and a trailer', a supporting leg'yfor the forward end of the trailer when .disconnected from the tractor', affifth wheel on the tractor' having means thereon cooperating with means on the trailer for effecting the coupling of the trailer and tractor, toggle levers operable to Shiftthe supporting leg to supporting-or transit position by engagement with the fifth wheel during forward or backward movement of the tractor, and means on the trailer for holding 4the fifth wheel in position so thatthe coupling action andthe operation of the toggle levers can be accomplished.

"14. In a device of the character described, the combination. of a tractor anda trailer, a supporting leg for the 'forward' end of the trailer when disconnected from the tractor, means for automatically shifting thel leg to supporting or transit' position. upon for-l ward o r backward movement of the tractor,

a latch vfor holding the leg in supporting or transit t. position, means for effecting thel coupling of the tractor and trailer' and means for arresting the coupling action be fore the completion and until the leg holding vlatch is released.l .A

15. In a device of the characterdescribed,

lthe combination with a tractor and trailer of a fifth Wheel secured to the tractor, including a 'turnable and tilting member adapted to actuate means foroperating aj porting position uponl coupling the' trailer Ato the tractor; and means co-ordinatln'g vwith the turnable and tilting member of the fifth wheel and connected with the supporting leg,

whereby'upon -a forward movement ofthe tractor the leg may be shifted from a transit c toa supporting position, the tiltable member being thereby disconnected ,from the trailer.

cation*- CHARLES H. LAND.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specifiiiy"` 

